CHÙA BÁO QUỐC
Bao Quoc Pagoda
Bao Quoc Patriarchal Pagoda, with its original name Ham Long Son Thien Tho Tu, was founded by Most Venerable Phap Ham, with the honorable name Giac Phong Lao To, in the late 17th century. It was the celebrated Patriarch Lieu Quan of the Tao Dong sect who came to this pagoda for his religious lessons during his first visit to Hue in 1690. This monk died in 1714. His remains were finally laid at peace inside the stupa Nirvana together with the remains of the other patriarchs. There are at present two new stupas here dedicated to Most Venerable Tri Thu and Venerable Thanh Tri.
In 1747, Lord Nguyen Phuc Hoat enlarged the pagoda and recognized it as national pagoda with "bien ngach sac tu"*, the pagoda was renamed Bao Quoc. Most Venerable Te Nhan Vien Giac, one of Lieu quan best disciples, was officially appointed headmonk of the pagoda. This monk died in 1753 and the senior monk Hoa chat took his place to preside over the pagoda until 1766.
Then twenty two years later, the Tay Son Family's army turned the pagoda into an arsenal. The staff of monks as a result, was dispersed, the pagoda left in neglect for 20 years. In 1808, Queen Hieu Khuong, Mother of king Gia Long, had the pagoda restored renaming it, Thien Tho. Most Venerable Dao Minh Pho Tinh was appointed headmonk of the renewed pagoda. He was dharma successor to Most Venerable Dai Hue Chieu Nhien who came from Thien Lam Pagoda. Twenty nine disciples of this monk were venerable monks of high religious achievements, honoured with Buddhist names beginning with the word "Nhat". Of these monks, the most outstanding were Nhat Chon-Tu Quang Pagoda, Nhat Dac-Thien Hung Pagoda, Nhat Nguyen-Hue Lam Pagoda, Nhat Dinh-member of the staff at Thien Mu Pagoda, Nhat Niem-Bao Quoc Pagoda, Nhat The-Bao Lam Pagoda and Nhat xung- Thien Hoa Pagoda.
Most Venerable Dai Minh Pho Tinh died 8 years later. His tomb and stupa is now in the cemetery in front of Van Phuoc Pagoda. Most Venerable Tanh Thien Nhat Dinh succeeded him to take care of the pagoda for about 14 years.
In 1824, king Minh Mang paid a visit to the pagoda and gave an edict for its name to be changed back to Bao Quoc. Then, on the occasion of the 40th royal birthday anniversary in 1830, the king held a great worship ceremony here, and officially designated Most Venerable Nhat Dinh as royal-recognized monk
of "quan Linh Huu". As a result, Most Venerable Hai Thuan Dieu Giac, Nhat Dinh's best disciple, took over Bao Quoc Pagoda. He was also royal-recognized monk of Dieu De Pagoda. He died in 1895. In 1858, king Tu Duc and his Mother, Tu Du, granted funds for reconstruction of the main hall, the back house, the two eastern and western lateral houses and the kitchen. The pagoda was once more reconstructed in 1868 with a grant of 700 "quan" from the throne. In 1873, the three-entrance gate dating from 1803 was restored. Further reconstruction was carried out in 1822 and 1890. In 1898, the Ngu Cong Duc House was erected. After Most Venerable Dieu Gia's death, his disciples, Most Venerable Tam Quang, Tam Truyen and Tam Khoan successively took over. Then from 1928 to 1953 Most Venerable Phuoc Hau was in charge of the pagoda. He was dharma successor of Venerable Tam Truyen, one headmonk of Linh Quang Pagoda. This monk was both a dhyana master and a poet. It is regrettable that now, after so many changes all that remains of his works is merely a poem, as his last words imbued with Buddhist thoughts:
Buddhist Sutra are not few.
My learning cannot be said to be satisfactory or poor.
I have forgotten all, it seems, now looking back
There only remains in my heart the word "Nhu"**.
Together with the common tendency advocating enhancement of Buddhism, Bao Quoc Pagoda alsoturned over a new leaf itself.
In October 1953, the Buddhist School for beginners of the Association of Annam Buddhism which hadtemporarily been positioned at Van Phuoc Pagoda before, was officially established at Bao Quoc Pagoda.
It was under the direction of a monk named Tri Do, along with the Tay Thien Buddhist School, forCentral Vietnam, but also for the whole nation. In 1944, it was moved to "Dai Tong Lam Kim Son". Then
in 1948, the Buddhist school at Tay Thien was transferred to Bao Quoc. The pagoda has been a trainingcenter for Buddhist monks ever since.
After Most Venerable Phuoc Hau's death, the Buddhist Clergy appointed a board of management for Bao Quoc Patriarchal Pagoda, consisting of Most Venerable Tri Thu, Mat Hien and Vinh Thua. The contemporary history of the pagoda was closely linked with the Most Venerable Tri Thu's life whodevoted efforts to disseminate Buddhism. As dharma successor of the senior monk named Vien Thanh, he set his heart on popularizing Buddha's teachings among the people and initiating them into the wonderful way taught by the Buddha. He was burdened with the various positions of President of Institute for dissemination of Buddhism, Director of Bao Quoc Buddhist School, headmonk of Ba La Mat Pagoda and
Bao Quoc Pagoda and, at the same time, supervisor of Quang Huong Gia Lam Monastery in Sai Gon. Worn out by his trying duties, he took ill and died later in early 1984.
* "Bien ngach": horizontal panel with the name of the pagoda granted by the monarch.
** A Buddhist term referring to the ultimate non-existent nature of things.
Trung Thiện
1. Ðức Phật Di Lặc- Di Lac Buddha
2. Ngài Văn Thu Sư Lợi Bồ Tát- Superior wisdom Bodhisattva
3. Chùa Báo Quốc- Bao Quoc Pagoda
4. Chùa Thuyền Tôn - Thuyen Ton Pagoda
5. Lý Nhân Duyên Sanh- The Law of Causality
6. Lý Nhân Quả- The Law of Cause and Effect
8. Mười Ðiều Thiện - Ten Good Deeds
9. An Cư Kiết Hạ - The Summer Retreat
10. Năm Uẩn - The Five Aggregater(5 Skandhas)